Watching Blake round the front of the truck, I smile when I’m surrounded by his scent as he climbs into the driver’s seat. Taking in a deep breath, I close my eyes and press my head back. With my eyes still shut, I reach out, and Blake takes my hand, setting it on his thigh as he turns the key and starts the ignition. After giving it a small squeeze, he releases my hand leaving it on his leg and puts the truck in drive. My eyes remain closed as we make the short drive to the house.
Once we arrive, the front door is thrown open, and my three beautiful girls haul it to my side of the truck, smiling and clapping before Blake even has a chance to turn off the ignition. I look over at him and smile.
“They love me, what can I say?”
“That they do.” He leans and swipes his finger across my cheek. “As do I, Alex, so much.” Placing his hand on the back of my neck, he gently pulls me toward him and places his warm lips on mine. I smile against them and he does the same.
“I guess we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
Releasing me, he reaches for his door handle. “Yeah, they’ve definitely missed you.”
Blake opens his door and steps out. The girls attack him first, and with his arms around them, he lifts all three off the ground at the same time. I watch them scream and giggle when he does, unable to fight the smile on my face. After setting them back down, he whispers something to them, and they all turn to face me, excitement filling their eyes. He makes his way to my door, and after opening it, gently helps me out. As soon as my foot hits the pavement, the girls rush me, but are very gentle as the two smaller ones hug my legs and Nycole captures my waist. I take a moment to look at each of them, and say a silent prayer thanking God for blessing me with these three lovely angels. After a few more seconds, they grab my hands, and slowly lead me towards the house.
Once inside, I find myself gently tackled by Harlow. Pointing her index finger right in my face, she gives me a shortened lecture, one that without doubt I will have the luxury of listening to in full at a later time. “Don’t you ever do that to me again, you understand me?” She places her arms around my shoulders, squeezing me so tightly, I find it hard to breathe.
“Harlow, I…can’t…breathe…”
Releasing me, she sets her hands on my shoulders and narrows her eyes. “I’m leaving, because I know enough to give you your time with your family, but know that I will be back, and you and I will discuss what happened, in length, and it’s not going to be pretty.” She gives me a small smile before letting me go.
I giggle at her threat. “I love you, Harlow.”
“Love you too, babe.” She turns to Blake and throws her thumb over her shoulder in my direction. “Watch her.”
I can tell he’s also trying not to laugh. There’s just something extra funny about Harlow when she attempts to be threatening. “On it,” is all Blake says. He glances at me with wide eyes, and I giggle again.
She turns and embraces the girls before heading on her way.
Once she’s gone, the girls once again latch onto my hands. “We have a surprise for you!”
I look at Blake and this time it’s my eyes that are wide. He smiles and gestures towards the bedroom. A surprise in there? Darn, I was kind of hoping for that chairlift since I obviously have a healthy fear of those damn stairs now.
With Nycole and Kyndall leading me and Blake holding Rylie on his hip, we make our way down the hallway. As we walk, I find myself overwhelmed by the smell of…paint? Why would they paint our bedroom?
But as we get closer, the light bulb goes off in my brain and a smile spreads slowly across my face. I’m going to have to find a new excuse for my dimwittedness as my pregnancy card has officially expired.
Coming to a halt in front of the baby’s room, the girls drop my hands. “Shut your eyes, Mommy.” I throw Blake a sideways look, grin still present on my face. Looking back towards the door, I take in an excited breath and close my eyes. I hear the doorknob turn and the shuffle of Blake setting Rylie down on the ground. A light breeze blows as she passes by my body and through my eyelids I can tell they’ve turned on the light. A masculine hand threads through mine, slowly leading me into the room. “Okay! You can look now, Mommy!”
I slowly open my eyes.
And laugh.
Canary yellow…everywhere.
And I totally love it!
But even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t matter because who cares what freakin’ color the bedroom is? This moment, right now, the love in this room… this is what matters.
Squeezing Blake’s hand, I continue to survey the room. The crib is set up in the corner, with the elephant, giraffe, and monkey mobile we bought hanging at one end. The dresser is assembled and pressed flush against the wall. The changing table is right in between. I look at the walls, and note that there are animals painted everywhere, definitely by children, and they couldn’t be more perfect.
I turn to look at the yellow wall behind me. As soon as my eyes land on it, I gasp out loud and raise the hand not attached to Blake’s to cover my mouth. Because painted in the center of the wall, is a huge butterfly, just like the one in the park. Nycole – I would recognize her artwork anywhere.
My eyes move, catching hers, and in that moment, the day replays itself in my mind. The butterfly, giving her actual butterfly kisses on the cheek and her eyes filling with pure joy at the sight of it fluttering above her head.
Yeah, there’s no doubt in my mind that she understands exactly what happened that day.
And between our glance, something in my heart just knows. It knows that Derek’s watching out, not only for me, but all of us.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, I feel the air shift and a familiar sensation surrounds me. It’s indescribable, but I know that I’ve felt it before, and something about it eases my soul. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know I have experienced it, and it’s telling me something.
One look into Blake’s beautiful light green eyes and I know without a doubt in my mind what it’s saying.
It’s telling me that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
And that I’m not going anywhere for a very, very long time.
“We have got to talk to your mother about these projectile spit up sessions, son,” I look down at the handsome little man cooing in my arms. Yeah, he looks just like me. I don’t care what Alex says.
I just swaddled him, like Alex taught me, but mine never stay tight like hers. He’s already managed to kick his legs out from underneath the blanket. “Stubborn, just like your mother.” He makes a little sound and then starts sucking on his tiny little hand.
Jacob. Our son. Jacob Derek Morgan. And he’s perfect. I thank God every day for that.
I walk to the kitchen and start warming a bottle. Once it’s at the perfect temperature, I head toward the living room, where I catch sight of Alex who just passed out on the couch after a grueling day with a colicky baby. Her beautiful brown hair splayed over the throw pillow, curled up on her side, mouth wide open, snoring. Minus the gaping mouth, and the drool, she looks absolutely beautiful. Peaceful.
Leaning over, while clutching Jacob close to my chest, I pull the blanket off the top of the couch to cover her with it. I run my knuckles over her soft cheek and watch her breathe for a couple of seconds. The sight of her curled up like that brings back memories of the worst moment in my life. When I saw her, lying there after the fall. There was nothing I could do for her. And the pain that she must have been experiencing. Jesus.